Lessons in Chemistry

Set in the 1960s, Lessons in Chemistry introduces us to Elizabeth Zott, a fiercely intelligent chemist navigating a world that constantly underestimates her. Rejected by the male-dominated scientific community, Elizabeth’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. But this isn’t your average show—Elizabeth sneaks in lessons on chemistry (both literal and metaphorical) to empower women and encourage them to break free from societal norms. This book is a perfect blend of humor and heartbreak. Elizabeth is a character you can’t help but root for. Her resilience and unapologetic pursuit of her passions are inspiring, and her journey is a stark reminder of how much women have had to fight for basic recognition. The supporting cast adds layers to the story, especially her quirky dog, Six-Thirty, whose unique perspective brings both warmth and humor. Garmus beautifully tackles themes like sexism, love, loss, and perseverance. The feminist undertones are strong, but they never feel forced. Instead, they’re woven seamlessly into Elizabeth’s story, making you think about how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go. The writing is sharp and engaging, with moments that make you laugh, cry, and cheer for Elizabeth. Garmus also does a brilliant job of making scientific concepts accessible and interesting, turning the mundane into something extraordinary. Lessons in Chemistry is more than just a story; it’s a call to challenge societal norms and believe in your own power. Whether you’re a fan of strong female leads, love stories with depth, or books that make you think, this one’s for you.

Set in the 1960s, this is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist by profession trying to navigate the world of research and study filled with men and very few women. This is one of the most original stories I have read about a woman in STEM and the difficulties faced to find her place and make a name. All Elizabeth wanted to do was pursue her research. All the world wanted from her was to dress prettily and stay at home. Calvin Evans, already famous in the field and a Nobel nominee, was the only one who saw her for the brilliant chemist that she was. Calvin was drawn to her as much for her beauty as her mind seeing her as an equal from the moment they started talking. Elizabeth Zott defied the odds and stood out, even when she ended up through various twists and turns as the host of a cooking show on afternoon TV with chemistry as the central focus. She teaches chemistry through cooking and through her dialogue, empowers women to see themselves as more than housewives. This story is mixed with laughter, heartbreak and so many special moments that it draws the reader in right from the first page. The various supporting characters are wonderful and so well thought out that each of them have a very special part to play in taking this story forward. Elizabeth's story would be wholly incomplete without Six-Thirty, her trusty dog, Harriet, her next door neighbour and even Walter Pine to name a few. This is a wonderful story, written in a style that will keep the reader yearning for more, wanting to know what happens next and ensures that the reader is invested in the lives of the characters. Elizabeth is inspiring and refreshing as a protagonist and really made my fall in love with Lessons in Chemistry!

Elizabeth Zott is a no-nonsense, witty and brilliant character. Her sharp take on feminism and the world around her really stands out. The book is clever and I enjoyed how it balanced humor with some deeper ideas about life and society. Definitely an interesting and unique read.

Lessons in Chemistry is splendid and easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. What struck me most was how powerfully it highlights the unfairness woven into society and how exhausting it can be to fight against rigid ideas of what “normal” living is supposed to look like. The story captures the quiet resilience it takes to stand your ground in a world that often refuses to listen—especially when you don’t fit into its predefined boxes. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes both deeply emotional and incredibly empowering. By the end, I literally had goosebumps. The book beautifully shows that while justice may be delayed, time has a way of setting things right. A thought-provoking, moving, and unforgettable read.

“Your day is your choice, Elizabeth.” And what a choice Bonnie Garmus has made with Lessons in Chemistry! This dazzling debut novel seamlessly blends wit, feminism, and resilience, delivering a story as complex and powerful as its protagonist. Elizabeth Zott isn’t your conventional 1960s woman. A brilliant chemist navigating a male-dominated world, she challenges societal norms with intellect and an indomitable spirit. The narrative brims with her rebellious energy, showing how she carves her path despite the odds. The story revolves around Elizabeth’s unlikely journey from a dismissed scientist to a TV cooking show host, using food as a medium to teach chemistry—and subtly, empowerment. “Cooking is chemistry,” she declares, transforming the domestic into the scientific. But Lessons in Chemistry isn’t just about Elizabeth’s fiery defiance—it’s about the tender, profound relationships she builds. From Six-Thirty, her fiercely loyal and intelligent dog, to her daughter Madeline, who inherits her mother’s fiery spirit, each bond is layered and authentic. This novel bursts with humor and biting commentary, often delivered in Elizabeth’s matter-of-fact observations: “Sometimes I think life gets so complicated that the only thing we can do is to simplify it. Break it into its smallest parts and go from there.” Bonnie Garmus masterfully explores themes of sexism, grief, love, and ambition without compromising the light-hearted, engaging tone. Each page brims with Elizabeth’s irrepressible brilliance, reminding readers to persevere and demand respect. If you love stories that challenge norms, elevate overlooked voices, and leave you inspired, Lessons in Chemistry is a must-read. As Elizabeth herself says: “Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.” This book will make you laugh, cry, and think long after the final page. A truly groundbreaking read—5 stars, all the way!

Loved it.. a very well written book, kudos to the author. Brilliant. We all are Elizabeth Zott while reading it.

A great read. Some may find the start a tad slow but after the first 15-odd pages you keep reading till the end. Present reality may not be as blatant or crude as portrayed but it is still there with more subtlety yet equally harsh

This was one thought provoking book which was not only funny but well researched and so well written that it was surprising to me when I found it was a debut. Meet Elizabeth Zott: scientist by training, cooking show host by default. One meal at a time, she galvanizes her audience to question the lives they’ve been served. She's my favourite character in the book. She's intelligent, funny, opinionated and groundbreaking. She has the courage to stand up against any injustice. She won't let anyone deny her the basic rights of humanity. I loved how she refused to be anything else other than herself. The book had a satirical exploration of the inequalities and stereotypes of women during the time it's set in which is very entertaining to read. Regardless of that Elizabeth's struggle will change a lot of our views. It made me realise we should be grateful towards the women because of whom today's women at least have a few privileges that weren't there earlier. The book definitely has some questionable opinions or thoughts but it is an enjoyable read which I'll recommend.

Loved the way the author took you on an emotional and informative journey about life and lessons and heartache and happiness. What a great storyteller Bonnie Garmus is.

It was an essay about her dog called "Ninety-Nine" that first drew me to the writing of Bonnie Garmus. All I could find was *Lessons in Chemistry*, and I bought it because one can't give up on someone who names her dog Ninety-Nine. *Lessons in Chemistry* is a gem of a novel. It is clever, complex, dense and detailed in its story-line, very funny, and manages to depict every single one of its characters with a shining clarity. Including the dog, this time named Six-Thirty. Please don't miss it!

This book has had a huge amount of marketing and appears to have sold a lot of copies which is always great for the writer (and the industry in general). I've also had a few friends read it too and have heard nothing but good. The book is 386 pages split into 46 chapters which makes reading it very easy. I had a look on Amazon before I started and was amused to se that this is the number one book in the "Feminist Criticism" category (there was me thinking it was a novel!). The story starts with Elizabeth as a mother, scientist and TV presenter, juggling her commitments in a way that was unusual for the 1960s. We then go back ten years and begin to understand how she got where she is now. Whilst appearing to be light on the surface, the book quickly moves to much darker territory, showing the sexism and abuse that was accepted as normal. That sums up the beauty of this book - it has an unforgiving hardness at its centre but is wrapped but a thin layer of social predictability making it accessible to read. There is a balance of comedy and serious issues that also makes the book fun. Elizabeth as a character is hard to believe and I thought the author could have softened her more but, let yourself go with the depiction, and she is a great focus for the novel. The story has a big build up before we actually get Elizabeth on TV (which is marketed as the core of the novel) - this feels like a long time but is necessary as it sets the scene. Everyone in the book is a remarkable person for all sorts of reasons - even Six Thirty (the dog) who is taught to recognise hundreds of specific words. Getting further into the book I became more and more aware of how deep the topic is. There is a lot of thought around the equality messages and you can't help but make comparisons to today's society - some problems have been reduced by legislation and gradual society change but many issues are worse than ever. Women appearing on TV today would say that their looks are analysed more than ever before, with the possibilities of feedback not limited to phone calls and letters. Endings of novels are hard to get right but this one is perfectly achieved. There is a lovely amount of emotion mixed in with a good balance of well structured plot.

Goodreads and other social media have been recommending this book to me for a while, but I looked at the cover and decided I didn't want to read another nerdy rom-com. I enjoy that genre generally, but not enough to grab this one. Then I saw the trailer for the upcoming Apple TV show. Puzzled, I read the blurb and a few reviews. This is where the old saying about "assumptions" showed me I was making a colossal mistake in judging a book by its cover. Anyway, long story short, I haven't enjoyed a book like this in a very long time. It's more historical fiction about the fifties and sixties as well as women's fiction. Elizabeth is a chemist in the Fifties, though very few think a woman has the mind and ability to be a scientist. The one exception is Calvin Evans, a noted chemist in his own right and the man who becomes Elizabeth's soulmate. This is brilliant writing, wry and poignant in turn. Elizabeth is alone except for Calvin because she's beautiful and intelligent, a deadly combination to men's egos that makes her an unwitting rival to other women who think their only job is to marry and produce children in this era. The supporting cast is lovely. Mad is perfect in her own unique manner, a genius of a child who sees things more clearly than many adults. Six-Thirty, the dog, has some of the best 'lines' in the book. Harriet, the Catholic neighbor stuck in a dead marriage, becomes Elizabeth and Mad's support line. Every character, good and bad, feels like people I've met in my real life, and it is delightful to see them collected here, contributing to this wonderful story. I'm old enough to remember the Fifties and Sixties. Ms. Garmus had captured every nuance of the period and sprinkled them like fairy dust over the stories about rowing and early live TV. If this all sounds like an odd combination, believe me, the author makes it all work. Bonnie Garmus has produced a terrific book, and I can't wait for more from her.

There is long time that I’ve read something so impactful, interesting and profound. A book that took my attention since the first chapter and make me feel inspired by stories full of encrypted messages and important debates.